Scandium(III) chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula ScCl3. It is a white, high-melting ionic compound, which is deliquescent and highly water-soluble.[2] This salt is mainly of interest in the research laboratory. Both the anhydrous form and hexahydrate (ScCl3•6H2O) are commercially available.
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IUPAC name
Scandium(III) chloride
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Other names
scandium chloride
scandium trichloride | |
Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol)
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ChemSpider |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.030.714 |
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UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
ScCl3 | |
Molar mass | 151.31 g/mol |
Appearance | grayish-white crystals |
Density | 2.39 g/mL, solid |
Melting point | 960 °C (1,760 °F; 1,230 K)[1] 63 °C (hexahydrate) |
70.2 g/100 mL | |
Solubility in other solvents | soluble in alcohol, acetone, glycerin insoluble in EtOH[citation needed] |
Hazards | |
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards
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irritant |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LD50 (median dose)
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3980 mg/kg (mouse, oral) |
Safety data sheet (SDS) | External MSDS |
Related compounds | |
Other anions
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Scandium(III) fluoride Scandium bromide Scandium triiodide |
Other cations
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Yttrium(III) chloride Lutetium(III) chloride |
Related compounds
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Scandium(III) nitrate |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references
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ScCl3 crystallises in the layered BiI3 motif, which features octahedral scandium centres.[3] Monomeric ScCl3 is the predominant species in the vapour phase at 900 K, the dimer Sc2Cl6 accounts for approximately 8%.[4] The electron diffraction spectrum indicates that the monomer is planar and the dimer has two bridging Cl atoms each Sc being 4 coordinate.[4]
ScCl3 is a Lewis acid that absorbs water to give aquo complexes. According to X-ray crystallogrphy, one such hydrate is the salt trans-[ScCl2(H2O)4]Cl·2H2O.[5] With the less basic ligand tetrahydrofuran, ScCl3 yields the adduct ScCl3(THF)3 as white crystals. This THF-soluble complex is used in the synthesis of organoscandium compounds.[6] ScCl3 has been converted to its dodecyl sulfate salt, which has been investigated as a "Lewis acid-surfactant combined catalyst" (LASC) in aldol-like reactions.[7]
Scandium(III) chloride was used by Fischer et al. who first prepared metallic scandium by electrolysis of a eutectic melt of scandium(III) chloride and other salts at 700-800 °C.[8]
ScCl3 reacts with scandium metal to give a number of chlorides where scandium has an oxidation state <+3, ScCl, Sc7Cl10, Sc2Cl3, Sc5Cl8 and Sc7Cl12.[2][9] For example, reduction of ScCl3 with scandium metal in the presence of caesium chloride gives the compound CsScCl3 which contain linear chains of composition ScIICl3−, containing ScIICl6 octahedra sharing faces.[10]
Scandium(III) chloride is found in some halide lamps, optical fibers, electronic ceramics, and lasers.[11]